The first film released in the DCEU was Man of Steel (2013), a reboot of the Superman film series, followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). The next film to be released will be Suicide Squad (2016), followed by Wonder Woman (2017). Other future films in development include The Flash (2018), Aquaman (2018), Shazam (2019), Cyborg (2020), Green Lantern Corps (2020), and a two-part Justice League film, with Part One releasing in 2017, and Part Two in 2019. All films are being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Development
The first attempt at a cinematic universe began in 1998 for Superman Lives. The film was supposed to be written by Kevin Smith[2] and directed by Tim Burton. The film was set to feature Nicolas Cage as Superman.[3] The script had Brainiac sending Doomsday to kill Superman, as well as blocking out the sun to make Superman powerless, as Superman is fueled by sunlight. Brainiac teams up with Lex Luthor, but Superman is resurrected by a Kryptonian robot, the Eradicator. Brainiac wishes to possess the Eradicator and its technology. Powerless, the resurrected Superman is sheathed in armor formed from the Eradicator itself until his powers return, courtesy of sunbeams, and defeats Brainiac. Michael Keaton was originally set to reprise his role as Batman from Burton's Batman films, making the attempt at a shared universe.[4] The film was later cancelled.
Akiva Goldsman's draft for the unproduced Batman vs. Superman featured Bruce Wayne coming out of a five-year retirement as Batman and coming into conflict with Superman.[5]Christian Bale, who was being considered for the lead in Darren Aronofsky's Batman: Year One adaptation at the time,[6] was simultaneously approached by Peterson for the Batman role. Peterson confirmed in a 2010 interview the only other actor he approached for Superman was Josh Hartnett.[7] Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby.[8]Christopher Nolan would later cast Bale as Batman the following year in Batman Begins.
In February 2007, it was announced that Warner Bros hired husband and wife duo Michele and Kieran Mulroney to write a script for a Justice League film.[9] The news came around the same that Joss Whedon's long-developed Wonder Woman film had been canceled,[10] as well as The Flash, written and directed by David S. Goyer.[11] Reportedly titled Justice League: Mortal,[12] Michele and Kiernan Mulroney submitted their script to Warner Bros. in June 2007, receiving positive feedback,[13] which prompted the studio to immediately fast track production in the hopes of filming to begin before the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike.[14] Warner Bros. was less willing to proceed on development with a sequel to Superman Returns, having been disappointed with the box office return. Brandon Routh was not approached to reprise the role of Superman in Justice League Mortal,[15] nor was Christian Bale.[16] Warner Bros. intended for Justice League: Mortal to be the start of a new film franchise, and to branch out into separate sequels and spin-offs.
On January 1, 2014, it was revealed that Warner Bros. intended to launch another attempt at a cinematic universe a few years earlier, which would have started with the 2011 film Green Lantern. The script for The Flash was being written in 2011 by Green Lantern writers Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim, with the post-credits scene featuring Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) meeting The Flash.[17] The film was then cancelled due to the critical and box office disappointment of Green Lantern.
After the 2011 Green Lantern film underperformed, a reboot of Superman was greenlit, which resulted in 2013's Man of Steel, and plans were made to have the film contain references to other characters in DC Universe, so if the film was a success, it would launch a shared universe with other characters that appeared in DC Comics, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[18][19] On June 10, 2013, it was announced that director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer will both be returning for a Man of Steel sequel which is being fast tracked by Warner Bros. Goyer had previously signed a three-film deal, which includes Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and a Justice League film featuring Superman. On July 20, 2013, Zack Snyder confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con International that the sequel to Man of Steel in 2016 will have Superman and Batman meeting for the first time in a cinematic format.
In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced the titles and release dates for nine films, along with some casting information.[20] Also in the month, Geoff Johns explained DC's difference in approach to Marvel Studios and their cinematic universe, saying, "We look at it as the multiverse. We have our TV universe and our film universe, but they all co-exist. For us, creatively, it’s about allowing everyone to make the best possible product, to tell the best story, to do the best world. Everyone has a vision and you really want to let the visions shine through ... It’s just a different approach."[21] In June 2015, Greg Silverman expanded on DC's approach to their cinematic universe, saying, "We have a great strategy for the DC films, which is to take these beloved characters and put them in the hands of master filmmakers and make sure they all coordinate with each other. You'll see the difference when you see Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, Justice League and all the things that we are working on." Additionally, Silverman explained DC's method of hiring multiple writers for upcoming projects by stating, "Every project is different. On some projects, we have multiple writers working together. In some cases, we put writers together who have never been a team together. And sometimes, there is only one writer whose voice is right."[22]
The universe has commonly been called the "DC Cinematic Universe" by fans and the media, in contrast to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[23][24] In November 2014, Newsarama referred to the universe as the "DC Cinematic Multiverse",[25] while the DC Comics website informally referred to the universe as the "DC Cinematic Universe" in December 2014.[26] In July 2015, in an announcement for their San Diego Comic-Con International preview issue online, Entertainment Weekly referred to the films as existing in the "DC Extended Universe™".[27] However, in the issue, Entertainment Weekly did not use the term, instead called the October 2014 reveal of 10 films over the next five years "a blueprint for an extended universe."[28] At the end of July, the release of the September 2015 issue of Empire confirmed the universe name as the "DC Extended Universe".[29][30]
Young journalist Clark Kent/Kal-El, who arrived on Earth years ago from Krypton, struggles with why he was sent to Earth. Raised by his adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, Kent must adopt the persona "Superman", and learn if his abilities are meant to maintain peace or conquer the world.[32]
In June 2008, Warner Bros. took pitches from comic book writers, screenwriters and directors on how to successfully restart the Superman film series.[33] During story discussions for The Dark Knight Rises in 2010, David S. Goyer told Christopher Nolan his idea regarding how to present Superman in a modern context.[34] Impressed with Goyer's concept, Nolan pitched the idea to the studio,[34] who hired Nolan to produce and Goyer to write based on the financial and critical success of The Dark Knight.[35][36]Zack Snyder was hired in October 2010 to direct the film.[37]Henry Cavill was cast as Superman in January 2011.[38]Principal photography began on August 1, 2011[39] The film had its world premiere in the United States on June 10, 2013,[40] and was released on June 14, 2013.[41]
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Gotham City-based vigilante Batman travels to Metropolis to preemptively combat Superman, fearing what would happen if the latter is kept unchecked, while another threat endangers humankind.[42]
In June 2013, it was announced that Zack Snyder and David S. Goyer would both be returning for a Man of Steel sequel, which was being fast tracked by Warner Bros.[43]Christopher Nolan is involved in an advisory role as executive producer. In July 2013, Warner Bros. announced that Superman and Batman will meet for the first time in a cinematic format in the film which will be the follow-up to Man of Steel and a reboot of the Batman film series, set for release in 2015.[44][45] Goyer and Snyder will co-write the story, with Goyer writing the script. Cavill, Adams, Lane, and Fishburne will reprise their roles.[46] According to Snyder and Goyer, the film will take inspiration from the comic The Dark Knight Returns.[47] However, later, Snyder clarified that the film would not be a strict adaptation of the story and instead be original.[48] Goyer stated that Superman and Batman would face off.[49] On August 22, 2013, it was announced that Ben Affleck was cast as Batman.[50] On December 4, 2013, it was reported that Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman, marking the first appearance of Wonder Woman in a live-action theatrical film.[51][52] Later in the month, Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio was hired to rewrite Goyer's script.[53] It was announced that Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons were joining the cast as Lex Luthor and Alfred Pennyworth, respectively.[54][55] As well Ray Fisher had been cast as Victor Stone / Cyborg, making his live-action theatrical debut, in a minor role that will become more significant in additional films leading up to the proposed Justice League film. Same goes for Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa who were cast as Barry Allen/The Flash and Aquaman respectively.[56]
Filming commenced on October 19, 2013, at East Los Angeles College.[57] The rest of the production was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, and Chicago, Illinois.[58] Filming took place too in Detroit and other areas in Michigan.[59] Additional filming took place in the Yorkville, Illinois and New Mexico area in late 2014.[60]
In January 2014, it was announced that the film had been delayed from its original July 17, 2015 release date to May 6, 2016, to give the filmmakers "time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story".[61] It got moved again to March 25, 2016.[62] In May 2014, the film's title was revealed to be Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.[63]
Suicide Squad (2016)
A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency.[64]
In February 2009, Warner Bros. was developing a Suicide Squad film, with Dan Lin producing, and Justin Marks writing the script.[65] In September 2014, David Ayer signed on to direct and write the screenplay for the film.[66][67] Charles Roven is also set to produce the film.
The film was reported to start shooting in Toronto from mid-April to September 2015,[79][80] On December 1, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the Pinewood Toronto Studios had been booked to start the pre-production in February, and then filming would take place from mid-April to September in and around Toronto.[81] Filming commenced on April 13, 2015 and concluded August 23, 2015 .[82][83]Suicide Squad is scheduled to be released on August 5, 2016.[84]
Wonder Woman (2017)
On November 7, 2013, Variety reported that Gal Gadot, Élodie Yung and Olga Kurylenko had auditioned for a lead female role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, believed to possibly be Wonder Woman.[85] On December 4, 2013, Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman and also signed a three picture deal with the studio which includes Justice League and a solo Wonder Woman film.[86][87][88] In November 2014, Michelle MacLaren was confirmed to direct the film from a screenplay by Jason Fuchs, and is scheduled for release on June 2, 2017.[89][90][91] On December 21, 2014, MacLaren said that Warner Bros. had not yet given the official green light to the production and the release date is in question, despite revealing a date in October 2014.[92] Production is scheduled to begin in late 2015 in London and Italy.[93][94] MacLaren later left the project due to creative differences.[95] As of April 13, 2015, pre-production on the film had begun.[96] On April 15, 2015, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Patty Jenkins will direct the film.[97] In July 2015, Chris Pine was cast as Steve Trevor.[98] Production was confirmed to be underway on November 14, 2015 when actor Saïd Taghmaoui posted photos of himself and Chris Pine on set on his Facebook, but the photos were requested to be removed by the studio.[99]
Justice League Part One (2017)
In June 2013, Goyer was hired to write the sequel of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as a new Justice League, with the Beall draft being scrapped.[100] In April 2014, it was announced that Zack Snyder would also be directing Goyer's Justice League script.[101] Warner Bros. was reportedly courting Chris Terrio to rewrite Justice League the following July, after having been impressed with his rewrite of Batman v Superman.[102] In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced the film would be released in two parts, with Part One releasing on November 17, 2017, and Part Two on June 14, 2019. Snyder will direct both films.[84] In January 2016, Variety reported that Amber Heard was in talks for the role of Mera in the film.[103] The film will be shot in the United Kingdom. On January 19, 2016, concept art was released for the film confirming Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash as the official lineup, though Geoff Johns hinted that a Green Lantern and the Green Lantern Corps will eventually join the roster and appear in the movie.[104] Snyder later discussed that Doomsday, and his mythological origins will be more greatly detailed within the Justice League films after his debut appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.[105] Filming is set to commence in early 2016.[106] In March 2016, it was announced J.K. Simmons would play Commissioner Gordon in the series.[107] That same month, Heard confirmed with Entertainment Tonight that she will indeed be portraying Mera.[108] The film won't be as dark as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but instead will feature a lighter tone.[109] Filming for the movie will start April 11.[110]
The Flash (2018)
In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced The Flash, to be released on March 16, 2018.[84]Ezra Miller is set to play the title role of Barry Allen / The Flash.[111] A story treatment for the film will be written by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The studio was courting the duo to also direct, but now the studio is reportedly eyeing Seth Grahame-Smith to write and direct.[112][113]Greg Berlanti, who is also involved with the hit CW TV series of the same name was previously on to write and direct,[114] but it is unknown if Berlanti will still be involved with the feature. It was revealed by producer Charles Roven that the film and Aquaman will take place after the events of Justice League Part One, and thus won't be an origin story.[115]
Aquaman (2018)
It was announced on August 12, 2014 that Warner Bros. had hired screenwriters Will Beall and Kurt Johnstad to pen two separate scripts for an upcoming Aquaman film. The film is being developed on dual tracks, meaning that two scripts will be written, one by Beall and one by Johnstad, but only the best version will move forward.[116] In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced Aquaman for release on July 27, 2018, with Jason Momoa starring.[84][117]James Wan is the frontrunner to direct the film.[118] In June 2015, Wan was confirmed to direct the film and oversee the screenplay by Kurt Johnstad.[119] It was revealed by producer Charles Roven that the film and The Flash will take place after the events of Justice League Part One, and thus won't be an origin story.[115] Amber Heard will portray Mera.[108]
Shazam (2019)
Shazam is being executive produced by Toby Emmerich, and screenwriter Darren Lemke of Jack the Giant Slayer and Turbo has been hired to write the script.[120]Dwayne Johnson confirmed the project and his attachment on August 20, 2014,[121] officially announcing his casting as Black Adam on September 3, 2014.[122] Emmerich told Entertainment Weekly in an interview that the film will have a tone unto itself separate from the concurrent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film: with a sense of fun and humor, but with real stakes and an anti-hero version of Black Adam.[123] In October 2014, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have scheduled the Shazam film for April 5, 2019.[84]
Justice League Part Two (2019)
The film was announced in October 2014, and is scheduled to be released on June 14, 2019.[84]Zack Snyder will direct the film.[124]
Cyborg (2020)
The film was announced in October 2014, and is scheduled to be released on April 3, 2020 with Ray Fisher starring.[84]
Green Lantern Corps (2020)
This film was announced in October 2014, and is scheduled to be released on June 19, 2020.[84] The title of the film was announced at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 11, 2015 as Green Lantern Corps.[125]
Other potential projects
Aside from the announced film slate, Warner Bros. has revealed that there are other films based on characters from DC Comics in various stages of development.[126] The films allude to the existence of some of these other characters in the DCEU, implying that some of them may appear in future DCEU films.[127][128]
On September 2, 2009, Warner Bros. announced that Guy Ritchie would direct a live-action feature film of Lobo. Variety described the premise: "Lobo is a seven-foot tall, blue-skinned, indestructible, and heavily-muscled anti-hero who drives a pimped out motorcycle, and lands on Earth in search of four fugitives who are bent on wreaking havoc. Lobo teams with a small town teenage girl to stop the creatures."[129] Ritchie was scheduled to begin production of Lobo in early 2010. In January 2010, it was reported that Ritchie had left the project in order to pursue working on a sequel to his hit film Sherlock Holmes instead.[130] In 2012, Deadline reported that Brad Peyton would write and direct the film.[131] In July 2012, Dwayne Johnson announced via Twitter that he was in talks with Joel Silver and Brad Peyton to portray Lobo.[132] As of February 18, 2013, Johnson had left the project.[133] Johnson has since signed on to play the DC Comics villain Black Adam in the upcoming film Shazam.[122] In March 2016, Jason Fuchs was reported to be signed on as screenwriter for a film featuring Lobo.[134]
In January 2013, Guillermo del Toro confirmed that he was working on a film with the working title, Dark Universe, based on the DC Comics superhero team Justice League Dark. Del Toro was then searching for a screenwriter for the film. He revealed Swamp Thing, John Constantine, The Spectre, Deadman, Zatanna, and Zatara would be characters in the story,[135] which would center around Constantine recruiting several of these characters. The film would not be an origin story, with each character already established and elements of their backstory coming into play throughout the film.[136] In May 2013, del Toro revealed that his script features Constantine, Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, and Zatanna as the team, with others "in the mix." He also revealed that he was still waiting for the go-ahead from Warner Bros. Pictures.[137] Del Toro revealed in an interview that he hopes the DC Extended Universe, which started with Man of Steel, will become as cohesive as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he added that if there was any correlation to that universe and this film, he would honor it.[138] In November 2014, del Toro confirmed that the script was complete and that he had handed it in to Warner Bros. to be reviewed.[139] In December 2014, del Toro revealed that the film would be a part of the DC Extended Universe.[140] In June 2015, Del Toro left the project, which is now being produced by New Line Cinema along with Sandman and other adaptations of comics that were released under DC's Vertigo imprint.[141] In June 2015, the film was confirmed to still be in development at Warner Bros., with some of their other Vertigo Comics film adaptions moving to New Line Cinema.
In October 2014, a Batman film was announced with an intended release between 2016 and 2020.[84] In July 2015, it was reported that Ben Affleck was in talks to direct, produce, star in, and co-write with Geoff Johns.[142][143] Following the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in March 2016, William Morris Endeavor's co-CEO Patrick Whitesell confirmed that Affleck had written a screenplay for a standalone Batman film that he hoped would be optioned by Warner Bros.[144]
In October 2014, a Man of Steel sequel was announced with an intended release between 2016 and 2020.[84]
In March 2016, it was reported that a Suicide Squad sequel is in development.[145]
In April 2016, Warner Bros are releasing two DC movies for October 05, 2018 and November 01, 2019.[146]
Canceled or inactive projects
In August 2008, David S. Goyer and Justin Marks penned a script for a film featuring Green Arrow originally called Super Max; it was later retitled Green Arrow: Escape from Super Max. The reported storyline would see Green Arrow imprisoned for a crime he did not commit and his subsequent escape from a high security prison filled with a variety of other DC villains. Marks said that Black Canary would not be making an appearance in the film, and that it would include references to the Riddler, Lex Luthor, and the Joker. Shortly after this news broke, the final script for the film leaked online.[147]
In April 2010, Joel Silver announced plans to produce a reboot of the Swamp Thing film franchise from a story written by Akiva Goldsman.[148][149] In April 2010, Vincenzo Natali was confirmed to direct,[150] but on May 12, 2010, Natali decided to delay the film to pursue other projects.[151]Swamp Thing is now expected to appear in Dark Universe.[135]
In May 2011, it was reported that Warner Bros. was in the process of hiring writers to pen a Hawkman film.[152] In the comic book prequel to Man of Steel, the Katar Hol's Hawk-man alien race, The Thanagarians, are described by a member of the Kryptonian Council of Five as a "barbaric race," confirming the Thanagarians' existence in the DC Extended Universe.
Recurring cast and characters
List indicator(s)
This table only includes characters which have appeared/appearing in multiple films within the shared universe.
A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's presence in the film has not yet been announced.
A V indicates a voice-only role.
A C indicates a cameo role.
A P indicates an appearance through photograph(s).
A Y indicates a role as a younger version of the character.
A O indicates a role as an older version of the character.
DC Films Presents: Dawn of the Justice League (2016)
On January 19, 2016, The CW aired a half-hour television special titled DC Films Presents: Dawn of the Justice League, hosted by Kevin Smith and Geoff Johns, which included exclusive interviews with the cast and crew of the upcoming films, concept art, the debut of the first Suicide Squad trailer, new footage from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and a sneak peek at Wonder Woman.[173][174]